Divorce

The laws in Gibraltar allow for pension funds to be taken into account in divorce settlements.
There are two types of orders the court may issue:

Pension Sharing Order

A pension sharing order has the effect of splitting the member’s pension pot by a specified percentage. The member’s pot is then reduced by that percentage and the ex-spouse/civil partner is awarded a “pension credit” which can be transferred into his/her own pension arrangement.
Where the member’s pot is spread over more than one arrangement within the scheme, the percentage would apply equally to each arrangement.
Where the member is a part of more than one scheme, the percentage may be different for each scheme.

Pension Attachment Order

Pension Attachment is the mechanism by which an ex-spouse can receive a portion of the member’s pension or lump-sum benefits once these come into payment.
The main features of pension attachment orders are:

• Pension rights remain property of the member
• Diversion of benefit(s) to the ex-spouse takes place only from the time that the benefit(s) to the scheme member comes into payment
• Can attach:
  • Member’s pension
  • Retirement Lump-Sum
  • Death in Service Lump-Sum
• Can’t attach spouse’s pension
• An attachment order must be expressed as % of the benefits payable
• An attachment order takes into account pension benefits accrued after the date of divorce